Packers rule out QB Rodgers vs Lions

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will miss his third consecutive game and Matt Flynn will become the Green Bay Packers' fourth starting quarterback of the season Thursday when the Packers play the Lions in Detroit.

Rodgers, who suffered a fractured left collarbone Nov. 4 against Chicago, practiced on Tuesday but was ruled out by coach Mike McCarthy on Wednesday. The Packers have gone 0-3-1 without him.

After starting Seneca Wallace in the team's first game without Rodgers and third-stringer Scott Tolzien for the next two games after Wallace landed on injured reserve with a groin injury, McCarthy will turn to Flynn, who rallied the team to a 26-26 tie against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.

Flynn brought the Packers back from a 23-7 fourth-quarter deficit against the Vikings, completing 21 of 36 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown.

''I'm very comfortable. Feel good with the playbook, feel good with the game plan, and I feel ready to go,'' said Flynn, who was Rodgers' backup from 2008 through 2011 and re-signed with the team Nov. 12 after Wallace's injury. ''You know, I'm light years ahead of where I would be three weeks into any other system obviously because of the time I spent here.

''I've been hitting the playbook hard and studying, and asking a lot of questions from Aaron, all the receivers, linemen - how they want things called, and how they want the operation to go. So I feel good.''

The Packers (5-5-1) are hoping Rodgers will return for their Dec. 8 game against Atlanta at Lambeau Field. Their hope is to stay in the NFC North race until Rodgers' returns. The Lions (6-5) and Bears (6-5) are tied for the division lead.

While they won't get Rodgers back, the Packers should receive a lift from several other players returning from injury. McCarthy listed right tackle Don Barclay (knee), defensive end Johnny Jolly (groin), outside linebacker Nick Perry (foot/ankle) and cornerback Sam Shields (hamstring) as probable.

Shields' return is vital with the Packers set to face Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,198) and is tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions (11).

''I'm just happy to have Sam Shields back on the field. Obviously he's playing very well for us,'' McCarthy said. ''Calvin Johnson is obviously a dynamic player and he's definitely a real focus for us defensively.''

In addition to Rodgers, the Packers ruled out running back Johnathan Franklin (concussion/neck), linebacker Jamari Lattimore (quadriceps), and defensive end C.J. Wilson (ankle).